I’m pretty sure that Alida and Mr. Gibbs rank equally on the adorable meter. This pair couldn’t be any cuter. But don’t let Mr. Gibbs’s playful look and soulful eyes fool you. This pup is all business and his business is Alida.
The heartwarming tale of Alida Knobloch and Mr. Gibbs. It sounds like the title of a fantastical children’s adventure, doesn’t it? Perhaps a wild fantasy novel full of adventure and wonders, where anything is possible. You know, the kind where animal companions assist us in our quests and great challenges are overcome.
In a way, you would be correct, except this story is no work of fiction. It’s the fantastical tale of a brave little princess and the faithful companion that serves as her knight in shaggy armor.
Meet Alida, a precocious 3-year-old little girl. with sparkling blue eyes, bouncing golden ringlets and a smile that will melt your heart. When she was only 9 months old, the infant was diagnosed with a rare lung disease called Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia (NEHI). This disease made it almost impossible for the little girl to get enough oxygen on her own. Alida requires the assistance of an oxygen tank to help her breathe at all times.
But like most 3-year-olds, Alida is full of curiosity and constantly wants to be on the go. The carts designed to safely transport oxygen tanks are heavy, clunky, and cumbersome, especially for such a small child. Aaron Knobloch, Alida’s dad, has designed and built several prototypes of carts to help Alida get around better. The big obstacle continued to be outside playtime.
This loving father just wanted to give his baby girl the same experiences that other children have. How could she, with her tank, get to zip down the slide or fly through the air on the swings? Alida’s parents didn’t want her dependence on the tank to prohibit her from enjoying everyday childhood joys.
Enter Mr. Gibbs. I’m pretty sure that Alida and Mr. Gibbs rank equally on the adorable meter. This pair couldn’t be any cuter. But don’t let Mr. Gibbs playful look and soulful eyes fool you.
Mr. Gibbs official job is to stay with Alida’s, wherever she goes, carrying her oxygen tank in a custom-made service dog vest. He does his job well. With Mr. Gibbs by her side, Alida is free to run and play with the rest of the kids. Mr. Gibbs can lay quietly while she soars on the swing overhead or follows Alida right down the slide.
Labradoodles, a specialty hybrid breed of dog, are becoming popular as service and therapy dogs. Labradoodles are known for their intelligence, level-headedness, affection, sociability, and cheerful disposition. These dogs are outgoing but not pushy, self-confident but not aggressive and smart but not overly independent. They are loyal, friendly, eager to please, even-tempered, gentle, and kind. This combination of traits makes Labradoodles outstanding service and therapy dogs, as well as terrific family companions.
In a recent follow-up from USA Today, we found out that Alida and Mr. Gibbs are busier than ever with him being her helpful classmate in elementary school, learning the routines at cheerleading, and keeping on their toes at the ballet. It sounds like Mr. Gibbs and Alida are an unstoppable pair.
“What a touching story, they’re so cute together!”, commented one viewer. Another pointed out, “It’s really incredible how the dog knows exactly what to do!”.
That is incredible. Check out this heartwarming real-life fairytale of a brave little princess and her fearless hero. Tell me about your favorite service dog story below.
